DAVID NAKAGAMI
Sports Assistant
Although the Pepperdine women’s basketball pulled an upset in the first round of West Coast Conference Tournament play, they were denied a chance to defend their title in the semifinals. The No.-5 Waves needed overtime to subdue No.-4 Saint Mary’s by a score of 71-67. Pepperdine took their second round semifinal matchup against No.-3 Loyola Marymount University into bonus time as well, only to come out on the short end of a 64-61 result. The Waves concluded the season with a 14-17 overall record, and a 6-8 record in the WCC.
The opening round contest against the Gaels of St. Mary’s was a see-saw battle. The Gaels scored the first points of the game, but the lead would switch hands four times before the end of the first half. St. Mary’s was able to take the advantage into the locker room at halftime, with the score 30-25 in their favor.
Pepperdine came out for the second half tired, allowing St. Mary’s to extend its lead to nine points. Refusing to go down without a fight, the Waves roared back to take a two-point lead on rookie Miranda Ayim’s free throws at the 5:04 mark. A layup by teammate Teena Wickett seconds later put Pepperdine in front by five. As regulation wound down, two clutch free throws by Gaels guard Serena Benavente knotted the score at 59 each and sent the game into an extra five-minute period.
In overtime, Wickett scored six of Pepperdine’s 12 points, including two pressure-packed free throws that effectively sealed the win for the Waves, 71-67.
Wickett had a game-high 23 points on 7-10 shooting and a perfect 8-8 from the free-throw line to go with six rebounds. Forward Teiosha George posted a double-double with 18 points and 12 boards in the victory.
After a day off to rest and prepare for the WCC semifinals, the Waves collided with rival LMU with a spot in the championship game on the line.
The first half was dominated by the Lions, who ran out to a 21-point lead before settling with a 15-point advantage going into halftime. The Waves shot a dismal 24.2 percent from the field in the first 20 minutes of play, including 2-12 from three-point range.
Pepperdine rebounded in the second half, going on a 15-2 run capped by a Jessica Ross three-pointer which gave the Waves their first lead of the game at 50-49. With seconds remaining in the game, Lions Amanda Decoud missed the second of a pair of free throws, leaving the contest tied at 56 at the end of regulation.
The Waves held the lead as late as 1:19 left in overtime, but two unanswered LMU buckets shut the door on Pepperdine’s hopes of defending their conference championship. With the final score of 64-61, the Waves’ postseason dreams came to an end.
Junior guard Daphanie Kennedy tallied 14 points and six steals, and George added 14 points and six rebounds to the losing cause. Wickett led all players with 14 rebounds, to go with six points and three assists.
“We worked hard, but we just fell short,” Wickett said.
The close overtime loss was the final collegiate game for two seniors. Lauren Wenski, from Lenexa, Kansas, played six minutes in the game, missing the only shot she took. Teammate and fellow senior Jasmane Clarendon, a native of San Bernardino, battled injuries all year, which limited her to 17 games. In those games, she averaged 5.4 points and 3.2 rebounds in 20 minutes.
“Our seniors leave a good legacy of leadership,” Head Coach Julie Rousseau said. “But it’s time for others to step in and fill their shoes.”
Despite an abrupt and disappointing end to their latest campaign, Pepperdine and Rousseau agreed to a five-year contract extension that will keep the third-year coach in Malibu through the 2011-2012 season. Last year, she guided the women’s team to a WCC Tournament title and a No.-15 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
“I’m excited and blessed,” said Rousseau. “It enables us to make good on the successes that are right ahead.”
Her players are encouraged to hear about their coach’s extension.
“She’s dedicated to this program,” Wickett said. “It’s great to have her here for five more years.”
Rousseau also highlighted the consistency her contract brings to the women’s basketball program. Not only is the job security a positive for Rousseau, but for potential recruits, as they are more likely to commit to a program knowing they will not have to endure a coaching and philosophy change midway through their collegiate career. Instead, players will be able to foster a strong relationship with Rousseau and build an ample familiarity of her system throughout their years of eligibility.
“The success we had early on was a good indicator of what we can do,” Rousseau said.
Using the off-season to heal and build chemistry, Rousseau expects the Waves to be ready in November to compete within the conference and nationally.
03-22-2007
